Liquid containing vessel having aseptic straw housing and method for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A liquid containing vessel has an aseptic straw housing. The vessel includes a beverage container having a liquid chamber and a separate, dry, straw housing chamber adapted for housing a straw enclosed in an aseptic environment. The arrangement of the internal chamber, the liquid and the straw housing chamber prevents contact between the aseptic straw and the liquid. An external outlet aperture in the aseptic straw housing chamber affords access to the aseptic straw from points outside of the container. The dual chamber construction provides a dry environment for housing the aseptic straw. Contemporaneous presentment of a straw with a beverage is accomplished in a convenient and reliable manner without compromising the integrity of the beverage or the straw.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid containing vessel having anaseptic straw housing; and more particularly, to a liquid containingvessel provided with a dual chamber construction that includes a liquidchamber and a separate, dry chamber adapted to house a straw in anaseptic environment.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Drinking straws are commonly utilized when consuming beverages orliquids from bottles, cans, or other containers. Many consumers preferthe convenience of a straw, which facilitates drinking and minimizesspillage. Although many consumers prefer to use a straw when drinking,the straws are generally obtained from a location that is separate andapart from the beverage container. As a result, the consumer mustpurchase and/or carry a separate straw, which many times is not of theproper length to accommodate the random beverage. This inconvenience iseasily avoided by providing a straw contemporaneously housed with thebeverage container so that the straw is readily available andspecifically appointed to be utilized when the drink is to be consumed.

The contemporaneous presentment of the straw not only results in a moreconvenient, ready to drink beverage, but further provides healthbenefits by mitigating exposure to germs and contaminants. Germs andcontaminants have a propensity to be carried on the exterior drinkingsurface of a beverage container having a can construction. Duringdrinking, the exterior drinking surface, or drinking lip, comes intointimate contact with the consumer's mouth and lips, and the liquidpasses over the contaminated area, thereby causing the consumer toingest the germs and contaminants. Contaminants and germs may resultfrom human handling, or the accumulation of dirt, dust, or debris on theexterior drinking surface of the can. Moreover, germs may result duringshipping and storage, as rodents may pass over the cans, exposing theend use consumers to germs and/or viruses. There have been known casesof people becoming seriously ill from viruses passed from rodents, forexample in particular, the Hanta Virus. Once a person is exposed to thecontaminants, their likelihood of coming down with an illness isheightened.

Various types of beverage containers having straw devices therein areknown in the art, but none of the known beverage containers provide adual chamber configuration and an aseptic straw condition. That is tosay, the beverage container straw assemblies heretofore disclosed andutilized do not provide an aseptic straw housed within a housingintegrally constructed within the beverage container, so that theaseptic straw is accessed externally and is completely distinct from theliquid. In a majority of the beverage containers with straw assembliesheretofore disclosed and utilized, a beverage container is provided witha straw maintained in intimate contact with the liquid. As time goes by,the straw has a tendency to break down, especially in corrosivebeverages (i.e. soda, juices), yielding soluble and/or insolublebyproducts. The soluble byproducts homogeneously mix with the liquidwhile the insoluble byproducts accumulate within the container, therebycontaminating the liquid, which is later consumed by the user.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,101,855 to Yat Chuen Yuen discloses abeverage bottle filled with liquid equipped with a drinking straw housedtherein so that the drinking straw is compressed when the container isclosed, and is elongated and ready for use when the container is opened.U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,356 to Lemelson discloses a container having adrinking straw disposed therein that automatically moves upwardlythrough the container's opening and becomes ready for use in drinkingwhen the container is opened. U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,019 to Cone disclosesa beverage container having a sanitized straw disposed in a minor andmajor cavity within the container so that the straw is housed in theliquid and is buoyantly forced upwardly to project from the top of thecontainer when the container is opened. U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,829 toJohnson, et al. discloses a beverage container having a straw assemblydevice including a buoyant air chamber so that when the beveragecontainer is opened, the straw simultaneously emerges from thecontainer.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,001 to Serba discloses a beveragecontainer with a drinking straw disposed therein. The straw andcontainer are arranged so that the drinking straw floats on the beveragenear the top of the container and projects upwardly to extend throughthe pour opening upon release of a sealing means. U.S. Pat. No.5,172,827 to Chang, et al. discloses a flexible, resilient, tubulardrinking straw disposed internally within the interior portion of abeverage container and being folded so that the upper portion of thedrinking straw unfolds to allow a person to drink from the straw. U.S.Pat. No. 6,443,324 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2003/0116574, both to Buntain, disclose beverage cans withself-contained, compressible, drinking straws housed therein, whereinthe straw is appointed to expand (via elongation of bellowed portions)to present itself for drinking when the beverage can is opened. U.S.Published Patent Application No. 2002/0079320 to McCarthy, et al.discloses a beverage container having a straw housed therein so that thestraw simultaneously pops-up to facilitate consumption of the liquidwhen the top of the container is removed.

These aforementioned beverage containers with straw devices arespecifically configured to house and carry the straw in intimate contactwith the liquid appointed for consumption. This configuration provides asingle chamber that houses both the beverage and the straw and isarranged so that the straw is simultaneously presented for drinking whenthe container is opened. The straw's exposure to the beverage,especially corrosive beverages, can result in degradation over a periodof time, causing leaching of the straw's formulation into the liquid tobe consumed.

Variations of these aforementioned devices provide beverage containerswith a substantial portion of the straw housed in intimate contact withthe liquid, while a top portion of the straw is housed externally sothat the top portion is flipped-up when drinking is commenced. Like theaforementioned variety of beverage container—straw assemblies, thesedevices also provide the housing of the main body of the straw withinthe liquid by providing only a single chamber for housing both therein.This provides a condition wherein the composition of the straw issusceptible to degradation over time, leaching into the liquid appointedfor consumption.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,283 to Gu discloses a beveragecontainer having a straw concealed therein. The lower portion of thestraw is within the container in intimate contact with the beverage,while the upper portion is outside of the container so that the upperportion is flipped-up when drinking commences. U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,339to Lee discloses a container and straw assembly wherein the straw ishoused within the liquid appointed for consumption and a top portion isflipped up when drinking commences. U.S. Published Patent ApplicationNo. 2003/0001002 to Haughton, et al. discloses a beverage container witha straw housed therein, and arranged so that a portion of the straw ison the outside of the container while the majority of the straw isinside the container in intimate contact with the beverage. Theseaforementioned beverage containers with straw devices are specificallyconfigured to house and carry the straw within the liquid appointed forconsumption by way of a single chamber. The straws are presented fordrinking when the top portions are flipped upwardly. The straw'ssubstantial bottom portion is exposed to the beverage, which over timecan cause degradation of the straw composition. This, in turn, causesleaching of the straw's formulation into the liquid to be consumed.

Other variations of these aforementioned devices provide beveragecontainers with the straw housed in various guides constructed withinthe internal body of the container, but the straw is still in intimatecontact with the liquid as there is merely a single chamber provided. Asa result, the straw has a tendency to break down, especially incorrosive beverages, yielding soluble and/or insoluble byproducts. Thesoluble byproducts homogeneously mix with the liquid, therebycontaminating the liquid which is later consumed by a customer.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,458 to Chunga, Sr. teaches a telescopicdrinking straw disposed within a bottle by way of an elongated cylinderslide-ably disposed within another elongated cylinder, so that the strawis presented for drinking when a spring is engaged upon removal of thecontainer's cap. U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,106 to Hotinski discloses abeverage container with an integral pop-up straw arranged within aguided channel so that when the container is opened, the straw will popout of an opening in the container. U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,422 to Collier,et al. discloses a beverage dispenser comprising a container having atubular sleeve with a drinking straw positioned therein so that thestraw extends to the drinking position when the container is opened dueto buoyancy. U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,048 to Fischman discloses a beveragecontainer with a self-contained straw adapted so that the straw pops-upand is presented to the consumer for drinking.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,763 to Stanish, et al. teaches abeverage can having a tube-like straw guide that houses a drinking strawso that the straw pops-up and is presented to the consumer for drinkingdue to buoyancy forces. U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,057 to Kim discloses a drinkinstrument in the form of a beverage container having a prepackagedinternal straw with a plurality of guides so that the straw pops-up andis presented to the consumer for drinking when the container is opened.U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,019 to Hirota, et al. discloses a straw broadlycomprising a straw assembly housed within a plug, wherein the plug ismounted on a mouth of a beverage container so that the straw ispresented for drinking when the container is opened. U.S. PublishedPatent Application No. 2004/0169043 to Neves teaches a packaging forliquids, wherein the packaging has a built-in telescoping tube fordrinking.

Like their counterparts, these aforementioned beverage containers withstraw devices are specifically configured to house and carry the strawwithin the liquid appointed for consumption via a single chamberconstruction. The straws are generally presented to the top openings ofthe containers due to buoyancy effects. The straws are exposed to thebeverage through the guide-like members. As a result, the straw has atendency to break down, especially in corrosive beverages, yieldingsoluble and/or insoluble byproducts. The soluble byproductshomogeneously mix with the liquid, thereby contaminating the liquid,which is later consumed by the user.

Even where the beverage containers with straw assemblies heretoforedisclosed and utilized teach a straw maintained separate from theliquid, the straw is housed within a groove on the external surface ofthe can. The straw is not provided within a straw wrapper, and thereforefails to provide an optimal aseptic straw environment. That is to say,the straws are not provided in an enclosed wrapper housed within thegroove. Thus any aseptic condition while housed in the groove isnullified when the film is removed and exposes the straw, which mustthen be removed from the groove. As a result, when the protective filmis removed, the straw must be handled by the user to be removed from thegroove, or readily pops out itself presenting a risk that the straw willfall to the ground or be otherwise contaminated. Handling of the strawcan readily result in the deposit of germs thereon, especially if theuser is a child. Moreover, after the straw is removed from the groove,the straw is immediately exposed to the environment and is thereforevulnerable to being contaminated if it is dropped or placed on a surfacewhile the container is being opened.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,567 to W. A. Pugh, Sr. discloses acontainer with an exteriorly mounted straw wherein the container has anindented groove that extends transversely across the bottom of andupwardly in the peripheral wall of the container, the groove houses astraw retained by way of a removable sealing tape appointed with a tab.U.S. Patent No. Des. 310,326 to Carlsen discloses an ornamental designfor a combined container and drinking straw, wherein the straw is housedwithin a groove within the external wall of the container and a tab isappointed near the top of the container, presumably for removal of thestraw housed within the groove. U.S. Published Patent Application No.2002/0092857 to Chang discloses a beverage container having an indentedgroove that extends on the side of the container for housing a straw,which is attached to groove by an adhesive, and is sealed in the recessby a film. These aforementioned beverage containers with straw devicesfail to provide an aseptic straw environment, particularly when thestraw is removed from the groove.

That is to say, none of these aforementioned beverage containers withstraw devices provides for a straw that is externally housed andenclosed within a straw wrapper so that the straw is retained in anaseptic condition. When the tab or covering disclosed by way of theaforementioned devices is removed, the straw is immediately exposed tothe environment, and further requires manipulation by the user's hand tobe removed from the groove, which can present an unsanitary condition,especially where the user is a child. Moreover, the immediate exposureto the environment increases the risk of contamination, as the straw maybe susceptible to falling out from the groove and landing on the flooror some other contaminated external surface.

Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to construct a beveragecontainer with straw assembly, there remains a need in the art for aliquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing that provides adual chamber construction by way of a liquid chamber and a separate,dry, straw housing chamber adapted for housing a straw enclosed in anaseptic environment. Specifically, there is a need in the art for aliquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing wherein thestraw housing is completely distinct from the liquid beverage, and isdesigned so that the straw does not come into intimate contact with thebeverage until it is inserted into the container by the consumer at thetime of drinking; thereby avoiding degradation of the straw andvirtually eliminating the entry of stray byproducts into the beverage tobe consumed by the user. Further, there remains a need in the art for aliquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing that not onlysecurely houses a straw distinct from the beverage, but further providesa separate straw wrapper so that an aseptic environment results andcontinues even after the straw is removed from the straw housing;thereby avoiding contamination while handling the straw during removalfrom the straw housing and opening of the container. Long needed in theart is a liquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing that(i) provides a straw housing completely distinct from the liquidbeverage, and (ii) is adapted to house a straw enclosed in a wrapper toprovide an aseptic condition, even after the straw is removed from thehousing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a liquid containing vessel having anaseptic straw housing and a method for manufacturing the same. A liquidcontaining vessel having an aseptic straw housing comprises a beveragecontainer having a dual chamber construction. A liquid chamber isassociated with a separate, dry, straw housing chamber especially suitedto house a straw enclosed in an aseptic environment. With this dualchamber construction there is provided a dry environment for housing theaseptic straw. Contemporaneous presentment of a straw with a beverage isaccomplished in a convenient, reliable manner without compromising theintegrity of the beverage or the straw. In one embodiment the strawhousing chamber is located within the internal chamber of the containerbody. In another embodiment the straw housing chamber is located on atleast one of the side walls of the container body and is appointed witha groove so that the aseptic straw is housed on the external surface ofthe container body.

The liquid containing vessel with aseptic straw housing includes abeverage container body having an external surface, side walls, a bottomportion, and a top portion equipped with a drinking aperture andarranged to form an internal chamber that houses a liquid appointed tobe consumed by a consumer. The liquid containing vessel having asepticstraw housing further includes a straw having a top end, an elongatedbody, and a bottom end, wherein the straw is disposed in a straw wrapperto provide an aseptic straw. In addition, the liquid containing vesselhaving aseptic straw housing includes a straw housing chamber adapted tohouse the aseptic straw. The straw housing is located integrally withinthe beverage container body and is distinct from the internal chamber sothat the aseptic straw does not come into contact with the liquid.

The straw housing chamber has at least one chamber wall, a proximal end,and a distal end, wherein the distal end further includes an outletaperture. The outlet aperture of the straw housing chamber is located onthe external surface of the beverage container so that the aseptic strawis accessed on the external surface of the beverage container. Theaseptic straw does not come into contact with the liquid while housedwithin the straw housing chamber.

The process for manufacture of a liquid containing vessel having asepticstraw housing includes the steps of: (i) forming a beverage containerbody having an external surface, side walls, a bottom portion, and a topportion equipped with a drinking aperture and being arranged to form aninternal chamber adapted to house a liquid appointed for consumption bya user; (ii) forming a straw housing chamber adapted to house theaseptic straw, the straw housing chamber having at least one chamberwall, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the straw housing islocated integrally within the beverage container body and is distinctfrom the internal chamber; (iii) forming an outlet aperture at thedistal end of the straw housing chamber so that the outlet apertureprovides for entry into the straw housing chamber from the externalsurface of the beverage container; (iv) wrapping a straw in a strawwrapper to form an aseptic straw; and (v) inserting the aseptic strawinto the outlet aperture so that the aseptic straw traverses the chamberwalls and is housed within the straw housing chamber.

The method of using a liquid containing vessel having aseptic strawhousing includes the first step of removing an aseptic straw from astraw housing chamber. The aseptic straw comprises a straw enclosed in astraw wrapper and the straw housing chamber is integrally located withina beverage container body. The container body comprises an internalchamber and a drinking aperture having a cap. The internal chamber isdesigned to house a liquid. The next steps require removing the cap fromthe drinking aperture of the container body and removing the straw fromthe straw wrapper. The last step involves inserting the straw into thedrinking aperture so that the straw traverses into the internal chamberof the container body and is presented for drinking the liquid housedwithin the internal chamber of the container body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages willbecome apparent when reference is had to the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the liquid containing vessel havingan aseptic straw housing, showing the straw housing chamber centrallylocated within the internal chamber of the container body configured asa bottle, and further showing a planer view of the outlet aperturecentrally located through the bottom portion of the container body;

FIG. 2 illustrates a further embodiment of the liquid containing vesselhaving an aseptic straw housing, showing the straw housing chamber at anangled orientation within the internal chamber of the container bodyconfigured as a bottle, and further showing a planer view of the outletaperture located through the bottom portion of the container body;

FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the liquid containing vesselhaving an aseptic straw housing, showing the straw housing chamber at anangled orientation within the internal chamber of the container bodyconfigured as a bottle, and wherein the outlet aperture is locatedthrough the top portion of the container body; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a different embodiment of the liquid containingvessel having an aseptic straw housing, showing the straw housingchamber located on a side wall of the container body as a grooveformation so that the aseptic straw is housed on the external surface ofthe container body, herein shown as an aluminum can, and further showinga planer view of the outlet aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a liquid containing vessel having anaseptic straw housing, as well as a method for use and a method formanufacturing the same. A beverage container provided with a dualchamber construction includes an internal chamber for housing a liquidbeverage and a separate, dry, straw housing chamber for housing a strawenclosed in an aseptic environment. Advantageously, this dual chamberconstruction provides a dry environment for housing the aseptic strawwhile providing contemporaneous presentment of a straw with a beveragein a highly convenient and reliable manner without compromising theintegrity of the beverage or the straw. In one embodiment the strawhousing chamber is located within the internal chamber of the containerbody; while in another embodiment the straw housing chamber is locatedon at least one of the side walls of the container body and is appointedwith a groove so that the aseptic straw is housed on the externalsurface of the container body.

In FIG. 1 there is illustrated an embodiment of the liquid containingvessel having aseptic straw housing. A straw housing chamber iscentrally located within the internal chamber of the container body,configured as a bottle and shown generally at 10. In this embodiment,the liquid containing vessel having aseptic straw housing 10 includes abeverage container body 11 having an external surface 12, side walls 13,a bottom portion 14, and a top portion 15 arranged to form an internalchamber 18 adapted to house a liquid appointed to be consumed by acustomer. Top portion 15 is provided with a drinking aperture 16 overwhich a cap 17 is placed.

The liquid containing vessel having aseptic straw housing 10 furtherincludes a straw 19 having a top end 20, an elongated body 21, and abottom end 22. Straw 19 is disposed in a straw wrapper 23 to provide anaseptic straw 24. In addition, the liquid containing vessel havingaseptic straw housing 10 includes a straw housing chamber 25 adapted tohouse the aseptic straw 24. The straw housing chamber 25 is locatedintegrally within the beverage container body 11 and is distinct fromthe internal chamber 18 so that the aseptic straw 24 does not come intocontact with the liquid 26. The straw housing chamber 25 has at leastone chamber wall 27, a proximal end 28, and a distal end 29. The distalend 29 further includes an outlet aperture 30. The outlet aperture 30 ofthe straw housing chamber 25 is located on the external surface 12 ofthe beverage container body 11 so that the aseptic straw 24 is accessedon the external surface 12 of the beverage container 11. The asepticstraw 24 does not come into contact with the liquid 26 while housedwithin the straw housing chamber 25.

Optionally, the liquid containing vessel having aseptic straw housingfurther comprises a tab member 31 for accessing and removing the asepticstraw 24 from the straw housing chamber 25. The straw 19 may furthercomprise at least one accordion portion 32 so that the straw 19 isflexible and extendable in length. The beverage container body 11 may beconstructed as a bottle, as is illustrated in FIG. 1. Preferably, thebeverage container body 11 is a plastic bottle. Alternatively, thebeverage container body 11 is an aluminum can or a cardboard beveragebox.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the straw housing chamber 25 iscentrally located within the internal chamber 18 of the container body11 and the outlet aperture 30 is centrally located through the bottomportion 14 of the container body 11. Preferably, the beverage containerbody 11 is constructed as a bottle being composed of a plastic material.Preferably, the chamber walls 27 of the straw housing chamber 25comprise arcs arranged to form a cylindrical straw housing chamber.

A planer view of the bottom portion 14 is shown, taken at plane line a,illustrating the outlet aperture 30 centrally located through the bottomportion 14 of the container body 11, shown generally at 40. At 40 thebottom portion 14 is shown with outlet aperture 30 of the distal end 29of the straw housing chamber 25 centrally located therein. The asepticstraw 24 is housed therein and is removed from the straw housing chamber25 by simply pulling on the straw wrapper 23 of the aseptic straw 24.When the aseptic straw 24 is removed from the straw housing chamber 25the straw wrapper 23 still enclosed the straw 19 so that the straw 19 isstill in the aseptic condition, or visa vie is still an aseptic straw24. Tab 31 may be provided so that the consumer can readily pull the tab31 and release and remove the aseptic straw 24 from the straw housing 25of container 11. Tab member 31 is further shown generally at 40. The tabmember 31 may include an attachment edge 41, a flap 42, a centralportion 43 and a pull portion 44. These elements are arranged so thatthe attachment edge 41 is removably attached to the bottom portion 14 ofthe external surface 12 of the container body. The central portion 43covers the outlet aperture 30. The flap 42 is attached to the strawwrapper 23, and the pull portion 44 externally extends from the centralportion 43 so that when a consumer pulls on the pull portion 44 theattachment edge 41 and the central portion 43 release and the flap 42engages in pulling the aseptic straw 24 from the straw housing chamber25.

The straw 19 is appointed with straw wrapper 23 so that the straw isstored in an aseptic environment until the straw 19 is used. The straw19 may have an accordion portion 32 so that the straw 19 can be readilyextended and or flexed when inserted into the internal chamber 18 ofcontainer 11. When using the liquid containing vessel having asepticstraw housing, the consumer removes the aseptic straw 24 from the strawhousing chamber 25 through the outlet aperture 30. Straw wrapper 23 isthen removed from the straw 19, and the straw 19 is placed in thedrinking aperture 16 so that the straw 19 traverses into the liquidchamber 25 of the beverage container 11. Optionally, the top portion 15of container 11 can have a bulbous configuration so that the straw 19can be optimally accommodated within the container 11 as the beverage isconsumed. The optional bulbous configuration provides increased surfacearea inside the beverage container body 11 to accommodate the volume ofthe internal chamber 18 so that a proper liquid amount can be heldtherein by providing greater head space in the container body 11. Inaddition, the bulbous element allows easy insertion of the straw 19 whendrinking is commenced.

FIG. 2 illustrates a further embodiment of the liquid containing vesselhaving aseptic straw housing, showing the straw housing chamber at anangled orientation within the internal chamber of the container bodyconfigured as a bottle, shown generally at 50. In this embodiment, thestraw housing chamber 25 is located at an angled orientation fromvertical center line 51 within the internal chamber 18 of the containerbody 11. Optionally, the outlet aperture 30 is located through thebottom portion 14 of container body 11, as illustrated by a plane viewof the bottom portion 14 of the container body 11 taken along the lineb, shown generally at 55. Alternatively, the outlet aperture 30 islocated through one of the side walls 13 of the container body 11.

As shown in embodiment 50, the straw housing chamber 25 is located at anangled orientation from vertical centerline 51. This angled orientationof the straw housing is particularly advantageous when the internalchamber 18 is being filled with liquid. Specifically, the angledorientation of the straw housing chamber 25 increases the fill spaceaccessible for entry of filling heads into the internal chamber 18.During filling of internal chamber 18 with a liquid beverage by highspeed filling heads, this increased fill space will facilitate access ofthe filling head into the internal chamber 18. In such cases, thefilling head is prevented from coming into contact with the strawhousing chamber 25, thereby mitigating the risk of damage to the strawhousing chamber 25 and/or the filling head itself. At the same time, theangled orientation of straw housing chamber 25 enables injection ofliquid by the filling head to proceed from a greater entry depth withinthe internal chamber 18. Filling can be accomplished at greaterpressure, so that filling times can be decreased. Damage to the fillingheads and/or the straw housing chamber 25 is prevented, and interruptionof the filling process is avoided. The increased fill space mitigatescontact between the straw housing chamber 25 and the filling heads,facilitating liquid filling at increased speed in a highly reliablemanner.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the liquid containing vesselhaving an aseptic straw housing, showing the straw housing chamber at anangled orientation within the internal chamber of the container bodyconfigured as a bottle, shown generally at 60. In this embodiment, thestraw housing chamber 25 is located at the angled orientation fromvertical center line 51 within the internal chamber 18 of the containerbody 11. However, herein the outlet aperture 30 is located through thetop portion 15 of the container body 11. Herein the distal end 29 isrotated so that it is facing the top portion 15 of the container body11, and visa vie, the proximal end 28 is facing the bottom portion 14 ofthe container body 11.

FIG. 4 illustrates a different embodiment of a liquid containing vesselwith aseptic straw housing, shown generally at 70. The liquid containingvessel having aseptic straw housing 70 is shown herein with thecontainer body 11 constructed as an aluminum can. Like the bottleconstruction illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the liquid containingvessel having aseptic straw housing 70 in FIG. 4 illustrates thebeverage container body 11. Container body 11 has external surface 12,side walls 13, a bottom portion 14, and a top portion 15 arranged toform an internal chamber 18 adapted to house a liquid 26 appointed to bedrank by a consumer. Top portion 15 is appointed with a drinkingaperture 16 and a cap 17, herein arranged as a basic snap cap of thetype generally utilized for aluminum cans. Herein, in the canconstruction, the top portion 15 is further appointed with a snap 72 anda drinking lip 73, which without the use of a straw would come intointimate contact with the consumer's lips while drinking.

Continuing with FIG. 4, the liquid containing vessel having asepticstraw housing 70 further includes a straw 19 having a top end 20, anelongated body 21, and a bottom end 22, wherein the straw 19 is disposedin a straw wrapper 23 to provide an aseptic straw 24. The straw housingchamber 25 is adapted to house the aseptic straw 24. The straw housingchamber 25 is located integrally within one of the side walls 13 of thecontainer body 11 and is distinct from the internal chamber 18 so thatthe aseptic straw 24 does not come into contact with the liquid 26. Thestraw housing chamber 25 has at least one chamber wall 27, a proximalend 28, and a distal end 29. The distal end 29 further includes anoutlet aperture 30. The aseptic straw 24 does not come into contact withthe liquid 26 while housed within the straw housing chamber 25.

In this embodiment, the straw housing chamber 25 is located on a sidewall 13 of the container body 11 as a groove 71 formation so that theaseptic straw 24 is housed on the external surface 12 of the containerbody 11. The straw housing chamber 25 is located on at least one of theside walls 13 of the container body 11. The straw housing chamber 25further comprises a vertical side opening indicated by horizontal doublearrow head extending from the proximal and distal ends, 28 and 29,respectively, of the straw housing chamber 25 and being arranged to forma groove 71.

Optionally, the proximal end 28 of the straw housing chamber 25 furthercomprises an upper outlet aperture 76 so that the aseptic straw 24 maybe removed form the top portion 15 of the container body 11. The removalof the aseptic straw 24 from the upper outlet aperture 76 providesconvenience in that the aseptic straw 24 can readily be removed from thecontainer body 11 when the container is opened, without the risk ofover-turning of the container body 11 and hence spillage of the liquid26. The distal end 29 of the straw housing chamber 25 may furthercomprise an outlet aperture cap portion 77 (shown detached and asphantom lines) appointed to close the outlet aperture 30 of the distalend 29 of the straw housing chamber 25. The liquid containing vesselhaving aseptic straw housing 70 may further comprise at least onesecuring member 78 extending across a portion of groove 71.Alternatively, the liquid containing vessel having aseptic straw housing70 further comprises a sheet covering extending over the groove 71, sothat the groove 71 is substantially covered and visa vie wherein thesheet covering may extend from the distal end 29 to the proximal end 28of the straw housing chamber 25. The straw housing chamber 25 and groove77 are arranged so that the aseptic straw 24 is flush with the exteriorsurface 13 and side walls 13 of the container body 11 so that thebeverage container body 11 can be utilized in the typical beveragedispensing machine (i.e. vending machine) without damage to the asepticstraw 24 or container body 11. FIG. 4 further shows a planer view of thebottom portion 14 of the container body 11 taken along line c, generallyshown at 80. The planer view at 80 illustrates the flush housing of theaseptic straw 24 in the groove 77, which is shown as a phantom line, andvisa vie straw housing chamber 25.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the container body 11 isto be constructed as a cardboard beverage box; such as those typicallyfound for juice boxes and the like. More preferably, the container body11 is a constructed as a bottle being composed of plastic material. Mostpreferably, the container body 11 is constructed as a can being composedof aluminum.

Optionally, the straw wrapper 23 of the liquid containing vessel havingaseptic straw housing further comprises a wrapper surface appointed toreceive indicia thereon. Alternatively, the elongated body 21 of thestraw 19 comprises a surface appointed to receive indicia thereon andwherein the straw wrapper 23 is composed of a transparent material. Theappointment of these indicia surfaces enables cross-branding ordecorative pictures or indicia to be placed on the straw and/the strawwrapper.

The cross-branding capability enables use of promotional venues ormotivational tools during marketing and sale of the product. The straw19 and the straw wrapper 23 may include indicia concerning game pieces,jokes, little known facts, quotes, fortunes, coupons, or other forms ofpromotional themes. Cross-branding of advertisements is readilyimplemented for local or regional markets. Straw 19 or straw wrapper 23can be provided with a the logo or trademark of a regional distributor,or local merchant, while the container body is differently marked withthe logo or trademark of a national or international beveragecorporation. This cross-branding capability enables a local distributoror merchant (i.e. store, restaurant, event) to flag available productofferings in local or regional markets. The utilization of the liquidcontaining vessel having aseptic straw housing as a cross-marketingmechanism affords a plethora of advantages through provision of multipleand diverse advertising surfaces and branding capabilities.

The invention further provides a process for manufacture of a liquidcontaining vessel having aseptic straw housing comprising the steps of:(i) forming a beverage container body having an external surface, sidewalls, a bottom portion, and a top portion appointed with a drinkingaperture and being arranged to form an internal chamber adapted to housea liquid appointed to be drank by a consumer; (ii) forming a strawhousing chamber adapted to house the aseptic straw, the straw housingchamber having at least one chamber wall, a proximal end, and a distalend, wherein the straw housing is located integrally within the beveragecontainer body and is distinct from the internal chamber; (iii) formingan outlet aperture at the distal end of the straw housing chamber sothat the outlet aperture provides entry into the straw housing chamberfrom the external surface of the beverage container; (iv) wrapping astraw in a straw wrapper to form an aseptic straw; and (v) inserting theaseptic straw into the outlet aperture so that the aseptic strawtraverses the chamber walls and is housed within the straw housingchamber. The container body and straw housing chamber may be composed ofa plastic material and formed as a single article by way of extrusionmeans.

Additionally, a method of using a liquid containing vessel havingaseptic straw housing is disclosed, wherein the method includes thefirst step of removing an aseptic straw from a straw housing chamber.The aseptic straw comprises a straw enclosed in a straw wrapper andwherein the straw housing chamber is integrally located within abeverage container body. The container body comprises an internalchamber and a drinking aperture having a cap. The internal chamber isappointed to house a liquid. The next steps require removing the capfrom the drinking aperture of the container body and removing the strawfrom the straw wrapper. The last step involves inserting the straw intothe drinking aperture so that the straw traverses into the internalchamber of the container body and is presented for drinking the liquidhoused within the internal chamber of the container body.

Advantageously, the a liquid containing vessel having aseptic strawhousing provides a sanitary, conveniently stored straw that iscontemporaneously housed within a separate chamber integrally associatedwith the beverage container body so that the straw can be readilyinserted into the container when the beverage is to be consumed.Moreover, the a liquid containing vessel having aseptic straw housingholds significant advantages when consumers are drinking beverages fromcans, as the top portion of the can has a tendency to be exposed tocontaminants and viruses throughout the shipping and storage process bymanufacturers, shipping industry, and distributors. The use of the aliquid containing vessel having aseptic straw housing mitigates theconsumer's contact with such contaminants, viruses, and debris byproviding an aseptic straw removably housed within the beverage vessel.While at the same time, the a liquid containing vessel having asepticstraw housing provides an aseptic straw that is separated from thebeverage within housing, thereby avoiding leaching of solublecontaminants from the straw into the beverage. Further, the strawwrapper of the a liquid containing vessel having aseptic straw housingprovides a surface on which advertising indicia can be displayed, as aresult cross-branding can be readily achieved providing a valuableadvertising tool.

Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will beunderstood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but thatadditional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to oneskilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention asdefined by the subjoined claims.

1. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing,comprising: a. a beverage container body having an external surface,side walls, a bottom portion, and a top portion provided with a drinkingaperture and being arranged to form an internal chamber adapted to housea liquid appointed for drinking by a consumer; b. a straw comprising atop end, an elongated body, and a bottom end, said straw being disposedin a straw wrapper to provide an aseptic straw; c. a straw housingchamber adapted to house said aseptic straw, said straw housing beinglocated integrally within said beverage container body and beingdistinct from said internal chamber so that said aseptic straw does notcome into contact with said liquid; d. said straw housing chamber havingat least one chamber wall, a proximal end, and a distal end, said distalend further comprising an outlet aperture; e. said outlet aperture ofsaid straw housing chamber being located on said external surface ofsaid beverage container so that said aseptic straw is accessed on saidexternal surface of said beverage container; whereby said aseptic strawdoes not come into contact with said liquid while housed within saidstraw housing chamber.
 2. A liquid containing vessel having an asepticstraw housing as recited by claim 1, further comprising a tab member foraccessing and removing said aseptic straw from said straw housingchamber.
 3. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housingas recited by claim 1, wherein said straw comprises at least oneaccordion portion so that said straw is flexible and extendable inlength.
 4. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing asrecited by claim 1, wherein said beverage container body is constructedas a bottle.
 5. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic strawhousing as recited by claim 1, wherein said beverage container body is aplastic bottle.
 6. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic strawhousing as recited by claim 1, wherein said beverage container body isan aluminum can.
 7. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic strawhousing as recited by claim 1, wherein said beverage container body is acardboard beverage box.
 8. A liquid containing vessel having an asepticstraw housing as recited by claim 1, wherein said straw housing chamberis centrally located within said internal chamber of said containerbody.
 9. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing asrecited by claim 9, wherein said outlet aperture is centrally locatedthrough said bottom portion of said container body.
 10. A liquidcontaining vessel having aseptic straw housing as recited by claim 9,wherein said beverage container body is a plastic bottle.
 11. A liquidcontaining vessel having an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim 1,wherein said straw housing chamber is located at an angled orientationwithin said internal chamber of said container body.
 12. A liquidcontaining vessel having an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim11, wherein said outlet aperture is located in said bottom portion ofsaid container body.
 13. A liquid containing vessel having an asepticstraw housing as recited by claim 11, wherein said outlet aperture islocated in one of said side walls of said container body.
 14. A liquidcontaining vessel having an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim11, wherein said outlet aperture is located in said top portion of saidcontainer body.
 15. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic strawhousing as recited by claim 1, wherein said chamber walls of said strawhousing chamber comprise arcs arranged to form a cylindrical strawhousing chamber.
 16. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic strawhousing as recited by claim 1, wherein said straw housing chamber islocated on at least one of said side walls of said container body andwherein said straw housing chamber further comprises a vertical sideopening extending from said proximal and distal ends of said strawhousing chamber and being arranged to form a groove.
 17. A liquidcontaining vessel having an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim17, wherein said proximal end of said straw housing chamber furthercomprises an upper outlet aperture.
 18. A liquid containing vesselhaving an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim 18, wherein saiddistal end of said straw housing chamber further comprises an outletaperture cap portion appointed to close said outlet aperture of saiddistal end of said straw housing chamber.
 19. A liquid containing vesselhaving an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim 17, wherein saidbeverage container body is an aluminum can.
 20. A liquid containingvessel having an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim 17, whereinsaid beverage container body is a cardboard beverage box.
 21. A liquidcontaining vessel having an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim17, wherein said beverage container body is a plastic bottle.
 22. Aliquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing as recited byclaim 17, further comprising at least one securing member extendingacross a portion of said groove.
 23. A liquid containing vessel havingan aseptic straw housing as recited by claim 17, further comprising asheet covering extending over said groove.
 24. A liquid containingvessel having an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim 1, whereinsaid straw wrapper further comprises a wrapper surface appointed toreceive indicia thereon.
 25. A liquid containing vessel having anaseptic straw housing as recited by claim 1, wherein said elongated bodyof said straw comprises a surface appointed to receive indicia thereonand wherein said straw wrapper is composed of a transparent material.26. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing asrecited by claim 1, wherein said beverage container body's top portioncomprises a bulbous member.
 27. A process for manufacture of a liquidcontaining vessel having an aseptic straw housing, comprising the stepsof: a. forming a beverage container body having an external surface,side walls, a bottom portion, and a top portion appointed with adrinking aperture and being arranged to form an internal chamber adaptedto house a liquid appointed to be drank by a consumer; b. forming astraw housing chamber adapted to house said aseptic straw, a said strawhousing chamber having at least one chamber wall, a proximal end, and adistal end, wherein said straw housing is located integrally within saidbeverage container body and being distinct from said internal chamber;c. forming an outlet aperture at said distal end of said straw housingchamber so that said outlet aperture provides entry into said strawhousing chamber from said external surface of said beverage container;d. wrapping a straw in a straw wrapper to form an aseptic straw; and e.inserting said aseptic straw into said outlet aperture so that saidaseptic straw traverses said chamber walls and is housed within saidstraw housing chamber.
 28. A process for manufacture of a liquidcontaining vessel having an aseptic straw housing as recited by claim27, wherein said container body and straw housing chamber are composedof a plastic material and formed as a single article by way of extrusionmeans.
 29. A method of using a liquid containing vessel having asepticstraw housing, comprising the steps of: a. removing an aseptic strawfrom a straw housing chamber, said aseptic straw comprises a strawenclosed in a straw wrapper, said straw housing chamber being integrallylocated within a beverage container body, said container body comprisesan internal chamber and a drinking aperture having a cap, said internalchamber being appointed to house a liquid; b. removing said cap fromsaid drinking aperture of said container body; c. removing said strawfrom said straw wrapper; and d. inserting said straw into said drinkingaperture so that said straw traverses into said internal chamber of saidcontainer body and is presented for drinking said liquid housed withinsaid internal chamber of said container body.